Weather/Disaster City of Sky Valley - Georgia

[newlook]

For those that do business in the City of Sky Valley - GA. Here is some disappointing information that the City Manager sent to the Relief for Washers/UAMCC after we informed them of the approval of HB 1281:

Please be advised that the City of Sky Valley petitioned EPD and obtained
approval for a total outdoor watering ban through December 31, 2008.

Linda Smith
City Manager
City of Sky Valley
3444 Highway 246
Sky Valley, GA 30537
706-746-2204

-----Original Message-----
From: georgia@reliefforwashers.com [mailto:georgia@reliefforwashers.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 09, 2008 9:58 PM
To: svcitymanager@windstream.net
Subject: RE: Pressure Washing in Sky Valley

Thanks Linda for the information.....

HB1281 was signed by the governor back in May of this year. We trust
and thank the city of Sky Valley for following the state guidelines
that are in place for the state of GA as it relates to restriction of
water use.

Sincerely,

Relief for Washers
__________________

[CarolinaProWash]

Carlos, is the "outdoor watering" complete prohibition from any outdoor water useage or literally for "watering".

These total bans are ridiculous. Some people's brains just do not engage completely. I feel a rant coming on

[newlook]

Originally Posted by CPW

Carlos, is the "outdoor watering" complete prohibition from any outdoor water useage or literally for "watering".

These total bans are ridiculous. Some people's brains just do not engage completely. I feel a rant coming on

Spoke to Linda Smith today - here is the deal:

Any pressure washing company wishing to do business in Sky Valley can bring in water from outside the city limits. Washers cannot draw water from city sources! Rule of thumb here is to fill your polytank up prior to traveling to Sky Valley.

The restrictions are in effect because the city is pursuing other sources for a water supply vs. relying on the state. She expects the new source to be online and ready to go around the end of Sept. The restrictions should be lifted soon after that!

She did mention that if any washer runs into ANY problems from city employees or customers that they should let us know. We will contact the cit manager immediately to ask for her to intervene if necessary.

[CarolinaProWash]

Now see.....your explanation would not cause phones to stop ringing. The BAN word is badly used. These guys are only restricted to certain water sources, not put out of business. It's what we fought so hard against up here.

[newlook]

I hear what you are saying Celeste and point(s) well taken.

The "light bulb" didn't come on for the City Manager until I pressed her for clarification and asked her about bringing water into the city. We have been communicating with Sky Valley since 03/08 and our conversation was positive to the extent that she agreed to work with us and keep us appraised of any changes that may have a direct impact on washers. She further acknowledged that the city realizes that there are many washers in the north counties of GA and they do not want to eliminate this revenue stream for business owners. All in all it was a much needed conversation.

[squirtgun]

Sky Valley's willful violation of HB1281 could get the in trouble with the state. The state if Ga. has pulled city charters for much less.
As I understand it HB1281 terminated any previous permits given for stronger restriction given to any city.
This is nothing more than some small town politician and talking heads trying to look important.

Again we are back to this section of the water restriction guidelines for the state of Ga.

#4) What activities are exempt from following the outdoor water use rule?

The rule recognizes several activities that are exempt from complying with the outdoor
water use schedule and water use restrictions. The following are explicitly exempted
from the statewide outdoor water use rule:

♦

Use of gray water or cooling system condensate (in compliance with local codes)

♦

Use of “reclaimed water” for landscape purposes

♦

Irrigation of food gardens

♦

Irrigation of greens on golf courses

♦

Landscapes newly installed by certified or licensed professionals (only for 30
days)

♦

Other Commercial Exemptions:

��

Irrigation Contractors

��

Sod Producers

��

Growers (ornamentals, fruits and vegetables)

��

Retail Garden Centers

��

Power Washers

��

Construction Sites

��

Car washes

��

Other activities essential for daily business (this exemption refers to
activities that are primary operation of your business. For example, a
window washing business would be included in this category, but a

delivery company who washes their own trucks would not.)

[newlook]

Scott,

I hear ya but also in the bill - it does autorize cities and counties to request an excemption to the state guidelines through the EPD (Environmental Protection District).

(a)(1) Any political subdivision of this state or local government authority may, upon application to and approval by the director of the Environmental Protection Division of the department for good cause shown, impose more stringent restrictions on outdoor water use during periods of drought than those applicable restrictions, if any, imposed by the state.

The ability to request an excemption is the "way through the back door" on the law.

The City Manager told me today that Sky Valley reasoning is not so much to do with the drought but more so that they are drilling their own wells for their own water source so that in the future the city is not relying on the state waterways.

Politically, this is a great balance for the governor. His hands are clean. Gave the voters what they wanted to hear but at the same time threw the counties and cities a "bone" if you will by allowing the excemption clause into HB1281!

I am going to search and find out how many more cities/counties in GA have been granted a excemption by the EPD.

[alvisishere]

Thanks Carlos for staying on top of this....
I doubt that I will do any more work up there, to much of a pain!!

[newlook]

Originally Posted by alvisishere

Thanks Carlos for staying on top of this....
I doubt that I will do any more work up there, to much of a pain!!

Al,

I know with your trailer and such it can be a pain. I can only suggest that if you do get a sales call up there....weigh your options.

We will stay in touch!

[Beth n Rod]

It's great to see this type of information on TGS - I just wish it was better news being reported.

Thanks for sharing it regardless.

Beth

[squirtgun]

Originally Posted by newlook

Scott,

I hear ya but also in the bill - it does autorize cities and counties to request an excemption to the state guidelines through the EPD (Environmental Protection District).

(a)(1) Any political subdivision of this state or local government authority may, upon application to and approval by the director of the Environmental Protection Division of the department for good cause shown, impose more stringent restrictions on outdoor water use during periods of drought than those applicable restrictions, if any, imposed by the state.

The ability to request an excemption is the "way through the back door" on the law.

The City Manager told me today that Sky Valley reasoning is not so much to do with the drought but more so that they are drilling their own wells for their own water source so that in the future the city is not relying on the state waterways.

Politically, this is a great balance for the governor. His hands are clean. Gave the voters what they wanted to hear but at the same time threw the counties and cities a "bone" if you will by allowing the excemption clause into HB1281!

I am going to search and find out how many more cities/counties in GA have been granted a excemption by the EPD.

Los,
I understand that provision is in there,but as it was explained to me if their ban premit pre-dates the signing of HB1281 they must re-apply for the exemption.
I do applaud them for taking the initiative to drop their own wells to insure they can provide water service to their citizens.

[newlook]

Originally Posted by squirtgun

Los,
I understand that provision is in there,but as it was explained to me if their ban premit pre-dates the signing of HB1281 they must re-apply for the exemption.
I do applaud them for taking the initiative to drop their own wells to insure they can provide water service to their citizens.

Scott,

I will email the City Manager and find out when they applied for the exemption. If Sky Valley did indeed implement these restrictions prior to mid May then yes...they would be in violation. I will check my emails from Sky Valley as I have been communicating with them off and on since March. The city manager is pretty sharp and I would venture to say that they did not make this mistake but I will check it out and let everyone know.

Good stuff Scott and it is comforting to see a couple set of eyes on this issue. As soon as I hear something I will let the you and others know.

[newlook]

The city of Sky Valley applied for their excemption with the EPD on June 16, 2008.

Still checking to see which cities in the state of GA have their excemption and when they applied for it......